Portable viewing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image. The apparatus preferably complies with American National Standard Institute standards &#34;Direct Viewing of Photographic Color Transparencies&#34; and &#34;Viewing Conditions for the Appraisal of Color Quality and Color Uniformity in the Graphic Arts.&#34; The apparatus includes a case which opens to have a cover portion positioned approximately horizontally near the top of an approximately vertical body portion. Pivotal side light shield plates can be opened to shield the sides of the apparatus from undesired ambient light, and a pivotal bottom plate can be positioned approximately horizontally for viewing prints. A transparency viewing plate having back lighting means for illuminating a transparency is positioned within the field of light from a source in the cover portion which strikes both the transparency and simultaneously the reflection copy image on the approximately horizontal plate.

This invention relates to portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image. As used herein, the term "transparency" includes transparent or translucent positives or images through which light must pass. The term reflection copy image includes a front-viewed picture or other reflection subject matter such as, for example, a proof or print.

One prior apparatus for simultaneously viewing transparencies and reflection copy pictures is a stationary viewing station which accomodates a standard transparency viewer and into which a transparency viewer may be recessed. This viewing station has the limitation that it is not portable.

One prior portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing transparencies and reflection copy images has the disadvantage that in one embodiment the portions of the apparatus must be inclined toward one another which makes viewing awkward. In another embodiment a light source requires adjustment to a position for illuminating both the reflection copy image and the transparency.

Another portable viewing apparatus for viewing only reflection copy images has the disadvantage that transparencies and reflection copy images cannot be simultaneously viewed and compared for color quality and uniformity.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image which avoids one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of prior viewing apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image which is housed in a protective case.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image in which the transparency is viewable at a convenient oblique angle with respect to the reflection copy image.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image which comply with American National Standard Institute standards, namely, ANSI PH2.31-1969 (R 1982) "Direct Viewing of Photographic Color Transparencies" and ANSI PH2.32-1972 (R 1981) "Viewing Conditions for the Appraisal of Color Quality and Color Uniformity in the Graphic Arts."

In accordance with the invention, a portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image comprises a portable case having a body portion having sides and adapted to stand approximately vertically and having a cover portion pivotally coupled to the body portion near the top of the body portion for approximately horizontal disposition upon opening the case. The apparatus includes a pair of side light-shield means individually pivotally coupled to the sides of the body portion for moving outwardly from the body portion to an approximately vertical disposition extending from the sides of the body portion. The apparatus also includes means pivotally coupled to the body portion approximately at the bottom thereof for moving outwardly from the body portion for approximately horizontal disposition. The body portion has a transparency viewing portion including back-lighting means for illuminating a transparency when disposed therein from behind. The cover portion includes lighting means for illuminating a reflection copy image when disposed on the approximately horizontally disposed means and for simultaneously illuminating the front of the transparency in the body portion.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image, constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 apparatus in a fully open position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 1 apparatus in an operable open position; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the FIG. 1 apparatus, taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image, constructed in accordance with the invention, comprises a portable case 10 having a body portion 11, preferably of a suitable plastic material, having sides 12, 13 and adapted to stand approximately vertically. The portable case 10 has a cover portion 14, also preferably of the same plastic material, pivotally coupled to the body portion near the top of the body portion for approximately horizontal disposition upon opening the case as represented in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

The cover portion 14 and the body portion 11 include hinged interconnections 16 (FIG. 5) for moving the cover portion to the approximately horizontal disposition.

The apparatus also includes a pair of side light-shield means 18, 19 individually pivotally coupled to the sides 12, 13 of the body portion 11 for moving outwardly from the body portion 11 to an approximately vertical disposition extending from the sides of the internal member 11a of the body portion 11. The pair of light-shield means 18, 19 preferably comprise opaque plates having reinforcing ribs 20 and connected by any suitable hinges, for example, hinge 20a, to the sides of the internal member 11a. As represented in FIG. 4, the plates 18, 19 are effective to support the cover portion 14 in its approximately horizontal disposition by means of connectors 32, 33 in the cover portion 14 which rest on the tops of the plates 18, 19.

The apparatus also includes means 17 pivotally coupled to an internal member 11a, which is attached to and included in the body portion 11, approximately at the bottom of body portion 11, for moving outwardly from the body portion 11 for approximately horizontal disposition onto a pivotal member 32a, as represented in FIG. 3. The first means 17 preferably comprises a plate on which a reflection image may be placed between the side plates 18, 19. The term "approximately horizontal" disposition when referring to the plate 17 includes small angular dispositions of less than 25 degrees, for example, 7 degrees, as represented in FIG. 5, which reduces glare.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the body portion 11 has a transparency viewing portion 21 including back-lighting means 22 for illuminating from behind a transparency 23 when disposed therein. The transparency viewing portion preferably includes a surface 24 at an oblique angle to the approximately vertically disposed body portion 11 for determining the angle at which the transparency is disposed for viewing. The surface 24 preferably is a translucent acrylic surface supported by an opaque plate portion 24a of the internal member 11a by any suitable means, for example, an adhesive. The plate portion 24a preferably has a trough 24b in which the bottom of the transparency may be placed for support. The back-lighting means 22 preferably comprises two fluorescent lights of predetermined intensity and color quality, such that the resultant illumination on the transparency viewer surface is D5000.

The cover portion includes lighting means for illuminating a reflection copy image when disposed on the approximately horizontally disposed means 17 and for simultaneously illuminating the front of the transparency 23 in the body portion. The lighting means preferably comprises three fluorescent bulbs 30 of color quality (D5000) and reflector means for reflecting light onto the reflection copy image and onto the front of the transparency. The reflector means may, for example, comprise shaped, adjustable metal reflectors 31, two of which are directed toward the transparency and the reflection copy image, and one of which is directed toward the reflection copy image.

A suitable ballast (not shown) for the lighting means 22 and 30 may be included in the body portion 11 which may include a suitable ventilating portion 11b (FIG. 1).

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the portable apparatus may be carried by a suitable handle 40 and the body portion 11 may be placed in the vertical position represented in the drawings. The cover 14 may then be opened to an approximately horizontal position. The opaque plates 18, 19 may then be opened to the position represented in FIG. 3 in broken line construction and in FIGS. 4 and 5. The plate 17 may then be folded to its approximately horizontal position, as represented in FIG. 3. A transparency may be placed on the surface of the transparency viewer and a reflection copy image may be placed on the plate 17. The fluorescent lights are illuminated to provide back lighting for the transparency and the fluorescent lights and reflectors provide the same color quality (D5000) on the transparency and the reflection copy image and with such intensities thereon as to comply with the above-mentioned American National Standard Institute standards. The plates 18, 19 eliminate unwanted light and colors from striking the reflection copy image or the transparency from the sides of the apparatus. This combination renders comparison of the color quality practical in accordance with the above-mentioned American National Standard Institute standards.

The apparatus may be closed by reversing the steps described above for opening the same.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is intended to cover all such changes and modifications as lie within the true spirit of the invention, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable apparatus for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image comprising:a portable case having a body portion having sides and adapted to stand approximately vertically and having a cover portion pivotally coupled to said body portion near the top of said body portion for approximately horizontal disposition upon opening the case; a pair of side light-shield means individually pivotally coupled to said sides of said body portion for moving outwardly from said body portion to an approximately vertical disposition extending from said sides of said body portion; means pivotally coupled to said body portion near the bottom thereof for moving outwardly from said body portion for approximately horizontal disposition; said body portion having a transparency-viewing portion including back-lighting means for illuminating a transparency when disposed therein from behind; and said cover portion including lighting means for illuminating a reflection copy image when disposed on said approximately horizontally disposed means and for simultaneously illuminating the front of the transparency in said body portion.
 2. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said cover portion and said body portion include hinged interconnections for moving said cover portion to said approximately horizontal disposition.
 3. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said pair of light-shield means individually comprise opaque plates.
 4. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which said light-shield means are effective to support said cover portion in said approximately horizontal disposition.
 5. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said means pivotally coupled to said body portion approximately at the bottom thereof comprises a plate.
 6. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said transparency-viewing portion includes a surface at an oblique angle to said approximately vertically disposed body portion for determining the angle at which the transparency is disposed for viewing.
 7. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 6 which includes a plate portion having a trough therein for supporting a transparency when disposed therein against said oblique surface.
 8. A portable apparatus in accordance with claim 1 for simultaneously viewing a transparency and a reflection copy image in which said lighting means included in said cover portion comprises reflector means for directing light onto the reflection copy image and onto the front of the transparency. 